Examples of Unbiblical Illustrations in Teaching and Preaching
Unbiblical illustrations in teaching and preaching typically fall into two categories: those that distort scriptural truth through false analogy, and those that introduce content foreign to the text's meaning. Scripture itself provides examples of what constitutes faithful illustration—Christ drawing "the most striking illustrations of great truths from the most familiar objects and incidents of life" [6], such as his teaching about cups and platters. The problem arises when illustrations contradict or obscure the biblical message they purport to clarify.
Illustrations That Contradict Doctrine
False teachers historically have employed illustrations that undermine core Christian teaching. John Gill identifies one pattern: preachers who "do not preach him, but themselves" and "seek their own things, worldly honour and applause, riches, wealth, and grandeur" rather than Christ's glory [5]. When illustrations serve the teacher's reputation rather than the text's meaning, they become unbiblical regardless of their surface appeal. Similarly, Ezekiel 13:20 condemns those whose teaching made "the heart of the righteous sad" through lies [7]—a warning against illustrations that discourage genuine believers or lead them away from trust in God's promises.
Illustrations That Import Foreign Content
Hebrews 9:9 describes the tabernacle as "an illustration for the present time" [1], showing that biblical illustrations point forward to Christ and his work. Unbiblical illustrations reverse this direction, importing contemporary concerns or cultural assumptions back into the text. Adam Clarke notes the hypocrisy of teachers who preach against theft or adultery while practicing these sins themselves [4]—their lives become false illustrations contradicting their words. The prophets Zephaniah condemned were "arrogant and treacherous," having "profaned the sanctuary" and "done violence to the law" [2], suggesting that illustrations which treat sacred things carelessly or twist legal requirements constitute violence against Scripture.
The Test of Consistency
Paul warned against those who "privily introduced" damnable heresies [3], indicating that unbiblical illustrations often work subtly. An illustration becomes problematic when it suggests God acts contrary to his revealed character, when it makes salvation dependent on human effort rather than grace, or when it treats biblical commands as culturally relative rather than authoritative. The standard remains whether the illustration serves the text's meaning or supplants it with the teacher's agenda.
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 9:9 (BSB) — It is an illustration for the present time, because the gifts and sacrifices being offered were unable to cleanse the conscience of the worshiper.”
- Zephaniah “Her prophets are arrogant and treacherous people. Her priests have profaned the sanctuary. They have done violence to the law. -- Zephaniah 3:4”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO 2 PETER 2 This chapter contains a description of false teachers, that were then in Christian churches, as there had been false prophets among the Jews; and they are described by the doctrines, which they privily introduced; in general, damnable heresies; in particular, denying the Lord that bought them; and by their success, having many followers of them in their pernicious ways; and by the sad effects following hereupon; with respect to the way of truth, that was blasphemed; with respect to their hearers, they, through the covetousness ”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 2:21: Thou therefore - Dr. Taylor has paraphrased this and the three following verses thus: "What signify your pretensions to knowledge, and the office of teaching others, if you have no regard to your own doctrine? What are you the better for preaching against theft, if you are a thief yourself? Or for declaring adultery unlawful, if you live in the practice of it? Or for representing idolatry abominable, if you are guilty of sacrilege? What honors or singular favors do you deserve, if, while you glory in the law and your religious privileges, you dishonor God, and discr”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 16:17: For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ,.... They do not preach him, but themselves; they do not seek the things of Christ, his honour and glory, the spread of his Gospel, and the enlargement of his kingdom and interest; they seek their own things, worldly honour and applause, riches, wealth, and grandeur; they seek to please men, and so are not the servants of Christ: they introduced the observance of meats and drinks in to the kingdom of Christ, which it do not consist of, and neglected the doctrines of righteousness and peace, from whence springs jo”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 11:39: cup and platter--remarkable example of our Lord's way of drawing the most striking illustrations of great truths from the most familiar objects and incidents of life. ravening--rapacity.”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 13:20: Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad,.... By polluting the name of the Lord; by hunting and decoying souls into their destructive nets; and by threatening such who would not give heed to their superstitious rites, lying divinations, and false prophecies: so false teachers make the hearts of such sad, who, having seen the insufficiency of their own righteousness, trust in the righteousness of Christ, and are justified by it; by teaching such doctrines as depreciate the love and grace of God the Father; making his love dependent on the creatur”